The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued a public apology to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian government, and millions of Nigerians after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the national disappointment as one of “profound sadness.”
The team lost to DR Congo in the Africa Play-off Final in Rabat on Sunday, a defeat the NFF acknowledged as deeply painful for a country where football carries enormous emotional weight.
In a press statement released on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the federation said it “openly and sincerely apologise[s] to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), to the Federal Government as a whole; and to millions of Nigerians, most especially our passionate, loyal football fans” following the Super Eagles’ embarrassing exit.
According to the statement, “Sunday’s loss to DR Congo in the Africa Play-off Final in Rabat remains a moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football.
"For a nation where the Super Eagles serve as a symbol of unity, hope, and collective pride, missing out on the World Cup for a second consecutive time is a disappointment of great weight and emotional depth.”
The NFF said it fully understands the anger and frustration across the country, noting that the technical crew and players also recognise the magnitude of the failure.
“The NFF, the technical crew, and the players understand the gravity of this moment. We understand the expectations Nigerians rightly hold.
"We understand the passion and sacrifice of a country that has always stood firmly behind its team, through triumphs and trials. And we recognise that our collective effort did not deliver the outcome this nation deserved,” the federation wrote.
The statement comes amid widespread criticism of the NFF’s management, coaching decisions, and player performance— issues many Nigerians say contributed to the team’s collapse.
A netizen, Oladimeji Monday wrote: “THE U17 TEAM FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP. THE U20 TEAM, EMBARRASSED OUT OF THE WORLD CUP.
THE U23 TEAM DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE OLYMPICS. THE CHAN TEAM GOT HUMILIATED AT THE CHAN. THE SUPER EAGLES ARE NOT GOING TO THE WORLD CUP. A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THE NFF !”
The Super Eagles Supporters Club also wrote: “This does not cut it at all, may we know why there were no sponsorship for Nigerian supporters to go watch the game? Let’s start from there.”
Abu Bakr wrote: “After the apology, can we read that the NFF president have therefore, tender his resignation since he couldnt deliver the world cup ticket? Abi una integrity no reach that one?”
Akech wrote: “Invest in home league and build quality at home. These players that come from Europe won't take Nigeria anywhere because what we all watched yesterday wasn't it. Though DRC players were promised huge sum of money, super eagles displayed something no one expected maybe they are so proud since they play in big leagues/clubs. Invest in NPL, It's an observation from one bother to another brother.”
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